The IX Games of La Francophonie have finally started in Kinshasa, the largest French-speaking city in the world, after two postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening ceremony took place at the Stade des Martyrs, in the presence of the President of the Republic Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo Tshilombo.
The opening evening was marked by strong moments, starting with the parade of the participating delegations. Athletes from different countries were warmly welcomed by the spectators.
Before the dazzling artistic spectacle, several speeches were delivered. The Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs and La Francophonie, Christophe Lutundula, underlined the challenges faced by President Tshisekedi for the organization of these Games. For its part, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) expressed its relief and affirmed that these Games are much more than a simple competition, but an expression of our shared humanity and our universal values.
The artistic part of the evening was marked by a show highlighting Congolese culture, its natural and human wealth as well as its modernity. Renowned Congolese artists also participated in this stage production.
The next day, nearly 3,000 competitors aged 18 to 35 took part in the various artistic and sporting disciplines on the program of the Games. For ten days, they will compete in 11 artistic fields and 9 sports competitions.
Despite the obstacles encountered, Kinshasa has demonstrated its ability to host this major event of La Francophonie. As the first French-speaking country by its area and second by the number of speakers, the Democratic Republic of the Congo once again proves its importance within the Francophonie.
These Games of La Francophonie offer the opportunity to promote cultural and linguistic diversity within the French-speaking world and to strengthen the links between the participating countries. Kinshasa is thus placed at the center of French-speaking news, by drawing the attention of the whole world to its cultural richness and its dynamism